The sun sets in the west.
When a crescent moon hung high in the sky, Ye Hongling finished her day's investigation and dragged her tired body back to the Yamen of the Demon Slayer Division.
In the end, despite the combined efforts of the three forces, Ji Ping'an was not found.
Several clues found were also cut off after in-depth tracing, and the incident of Qianyuan Treasure House seems to have become an unsolved case.
"One more unsolved case."
Ye Hongling sat behind the desk, raised her eyebrows, and whispered to herself.
At this moment, footsteps came from outside the door:
"Chief Secretary, the government office has handed over a new case. It's a bit strange. I need you to take a look at it in person."
case?
You know, since the Xie Wensheng incident, the Demon Slayer Division has not received a case involving "extraordinary" for a long time.
Ye Hongling cheered up, said "Come in", and then took a file from the fat official with a strange look, and joked casually:
"What case made you look like this..."
Halfway through her words, her eyes narrowed and she began to look through the files intently, then she frowned.
…
…
In the next few days, Yuhang City returned to calm.
As Ji Ping'an expected, the Qianyuan Treasure House was not known to most people, but the changes in the Jianghu forces were more clearly perceived.
The Heaven and Earth Society suffered heavy casualties, and as the mendicants retreated to recuperate, Jiang Xiaotang and Nangong Wan saw the opportunity and began to annex and digest the former's legacy.
Especially Nangong Wan, who changed her past style and became fierce and domineering.
There are rumors in the world that while exploring the Qianyuan Treasure House, Nangong Wan was lucky enough to obtain a golden flying knife weapon, which greatly improved her combat power.
For a time, Tingxue Tower gained momentum.
However, Ji Ping'an's small team did not care about all this.
Everyone calmed down and digested the resources obtained in this round.
The time finally entered September, late summer turned to early autumn, and the temperature in Yuhang dropped.
That morning, when Ji Pingping opened the door of his house, what greeted him was no longer the scorching heat of summer, but the coolness of early autumn.
"Sir, are you up?" The courtyard door was pushed open, and Huang He walked in carrying two large food boxes.
Ji Ping'an looked away at the early autumn sky and said "yes" with a smile.
Huang He placed the large food box next to the stone table in the courtyard, took out the breakfast ordered from a nearby store, and asked everyone to wash up.
When the five people sat down at the table, the saint in a pink skirt coughed, attracting everyone's attention. She raised her chin reservedly and said calmly:
"Announcement. This saint has broken five."
Everyone was startled, showing expressions of surprise.
You know, the last time I went to the Wulin Alliance, Yu Yu had just broken four, and now it didn't take long to win a small realm again. The speed was really amazing.
However, considering that the Saint is already extremely talented and has gained a lot of benefits from this, it is not surprising.
Fang Shijie was too short, so he squatted on a stool. He just picked up a bun and curled his lips when he heard this.
"What's the matter? My meridians have become much more stable in the past few days. When my body is finished, my true body will be ready to sit in the well in an instant. Young people today are too impetuous. I... In that era of God General, it was only possible to break five It’s just mediocre, but not really a strong person.”
After saying that, seeing Yu Yu glaring at him angrily, the God Emperor hesitated for a moment and reluctantly added:
"Of course, the times are different, so we can't compare them like this."
Yu Yu put away the flying sword that was on the God Emperor's neck with satisfaction.
Kukuku... Ji Ping'an watched the show from the sidelines. During these days, as "Adou God General" became familiar with everyone, the aura of the senior faded away, and he lost a bit of awe.
The two little star officials were fine, but Yu Yu, a bitchy little drama queen, couldn't stand the chubby little one at all.
Huang He broke the embarrassment:
"My cultivation level is also improving. As expected, I will be able to break through two in the next two days."
Mu Yaoyao's cheeks were bulging and stuffed with food. She raised her hands when she heard the words and said vaguely:
"It's like a nest."
Ji Pingan nodded and said:
"Among the nine major realms, the first three small realms are not difficult, and there is almost no threshold. The next task for you two is to continue taking drugs and strive to reach Broken Three within half a month. After that, you can take the Broken Mirror Pill for impact. Supplemented by Ding Yuan Dan to stabilize the realm..."
If outsiders were present and heard him reveal this plan, they would definitely be shocked.
Even Taoist and Buddhist sects, with their great families and great undertakings, cannot give out elixirs of this size at will.
But here in Ji Ping'an, the top-quality resources seem to be free of charge, which really makes the little star official who has never seen the world feel like he is in a dream.
Even Yu Yu was greedy, but she had just broken five and needed time to settle down, but she couldn't just take drugs.
This will make him think quietly and say:
"The two of them will continue to retreat and break through. God Adu will take a bath in the medicinal soup and continue to stimulate the meridians. So what are we going to do? Isn't it time to continue looking for clues about the reborn person?"
Ji Ping'an rolled his eyes:
"Oh, clues... these two words are easy to say, do you have it?"
Yu Yu muttered timidly:
"Why don't we discuss this with you? Why bother me?"
Ji Pingan was too lazy to pay attention to her, waved his hand, and said in a mysterious tone:
"Sometimes, you don't necessarily need to ask for help. The clues may come to you on your own."
After finishing speaking, he sent everyone to go about their business without explaining.
He put on the clothes of a Taoist priest, replaced Huang He, and after more than a month, he once again entered Yijingzhai and sat in the hall as a "divination master".
Speaking of which, Yi Jingzhai's reputation was temporarily broken due to the name "Pei".
But later, Ji Ping'an left and went to Sanhuang County, with Huang He taking over.
Over time, the popularity of the Gua Guan gradually receded. Although it now has a stable customer base, it is not yet crowded.
As for the return of "Mr. Xiao Li", the neighbors expressed great enthusiasm.
"Mr. Xiao Li, you are back!"
Not long after we sat down, an old woman with gray hair walked in carrying a basket of eggs, her wrinkled face rosy and happy:
"Thanks to your help, my wife is pregnant!"
Pfft... Ji Ping'an suddenly heard this, a mouthful of water and blood spurted out from his mouth, and he was slightly shocked:
"Aunt Wang, what are you..."
This old neighbor said happily:
"You are a noble person who forgets things. Didn't the old lady ask you for a fortune last time?"
Ji Ping'an was startled before he remembered this:
When he first arrived in Yuhang and the Gua Gua Guan opened, Aunt Wang did come to support him and asked him to predict when his daughter-in-law's belly would be bulging and she would have a baby.
However, such a trivial matter was indeed almost forgotten by the Imperial Master who was busy with everything.
Aunt Wang complimented:
"You said at the time that you could get pregnant 'at the latest in early winter, or at the earliest in early autumn'. Guess what, you really hit the mark!"
Ji Pingan looked at the basket of eggs on the table and said with a smile:
"congratulations."
At this time, the owner of the calligraphy and painting shop next to him came over and said with a smile:
"Old Mrs. Wang, what am I talking about? Mr. Li is really capable. He said that your wife can carry a baby. You don't believe it, and you go all the way to Yunlin Temple to ask for it. I think you are just heartbroken. If you are not sincere, you can ask a Taoist priest to tell your fortune and worship Buddha at the same time, and you are not afraid of a fight between the saints on both sides."
"Bah, bah, bah, tear your lousy mouth apart!"
Aunt Wang was furious, cursed a few words, and then left with strength.
Ji Ping'an shook his head and laughed. He waited for others to leave before curiously asking:
"Did you talk about Yunlin Temple before?"
The calligraphy and painting shop owner with his sharp mouth and monkey cheeks nodded:
"Yes, this Zen monastery is hundreds of years old. There are eminent monks here. Even though it is a little far away from Yuhang City, many people come all the way to burn incense. But in the past, most of them were sick. The eminent monks over there treat the people, but I don't know what's going on recently. Suddenly there is news that asking for a child is very effective..."
He rambled on for a while.
Only then did Ji Ping'an find out that Aunt Wang not only used him to tell fortunes, but also found various remedies and ways.
A few days ago, I went to a Zen monastery to ask for a child, and not long after I came back, I became pregnant.
At this moment, suddenly, a team of officials arrived at the corner of the street.
However, he did not break in rashly, but stopped at the corner of the street. The leader dismounted and walked straight this way.
The owner of the calligraphy and painting shop shrank his neck and said goodbye:
"It seems I'm looking for you, I'll go back first."
The surrounding neighbors are no longer surprised that a big shot seeks out "Mr. Li".
Ji Ping'an nodded politely and sent the other party away. Then he turned to look at the female warrior who stepped into the threshold and said with a smile:
"Secretary Ye is a rare guest, why do you have time to come here today?"
Ye Hongling stepped into the narrow shop, her black cloak swept across the threshold, a smile appeared on her beautiful face, she cupped her hands and said:
"Ji Sichen is so polite. I heard that you and Her Majesty the Holy Lady went out not long ago and contributed greatly to the disaster in Sanhuang County. Later, when I learned that you were coming back, I thought of coming to see and thank the government and the people in person. It's a pity that this paragraph There are so many things in my life that I can’t get away from them.”
Ji Ping'an waved his palms on the table and opened the tea cup:
"After all, Lord Ye is a military commander stationed in a city on behalf of the imperial court. He is different from traveling monks like us."
Ye Hongling sat down, looked at the young man in front of her, and sighed:
"Having said that, the truth is that what I, the leader, have actually accomplished during these days is far less than you."
As she spoke, she seemed to be trying:
"For example, what happened at the Qianyuan Treasure House a few days ago..."
Ji Ping'an looked confused:
"Treasure house? I have indeed heard about this matter, but what is Chief Ye referring to?"
Ye Hongling stared at him unblinkingly, trying to see even the slightest flaw in Ji Ping'an's face, but she failed.
I couldn't help but wonder, could I have guessed wrong?
The Qianyuan Treasure House incident has nothing to do with him?
As her thoughts turned, Ye Hongling smiled bitterly and shook her head:
"It's nothing, it's just that the treasure house involves mysterious forces. I checked it for several days, but found nothing."
Ji Ping'an comforted:
"Just do your best. Could it be that the Chief Secretary is here to seek my horoscope predictions?"
Ye Hongling shook her head:
"That's not the case. There is another case, and I want to ask Si Chen to help."
Ji Ping'an raised his eyebrows:
"Oh? Could it be that another scholar in Xishan is missing?"
Ye Hongling said seriously:
"This time things are even weirder, involving Yunlin Zen Monastery."
"..." Ji Ping'an narrowed his eyes, "Tell me carefully."
Ye Hongling said:
"I wonder if Si Chen has heard of the recent rumors that the monastery is quite effective in seeking children."
Ji Pingan nodded:
"...I did hear something. Is there a problem?"
Ye Hongling nodded and said in a deep voice:
"The problem is huge. According to the intelligence collected by our Demon Slayer Division, this matter is completely weird. On the one hand, the efficacious effect itself is very weird. Those ignorant people and women don't know it, but as monks, we should know that the so-called seeking Son, a specific technique can at most regulate the body or change some fortunes, which is already the limit.
Under normal means, it is impossible to really make a woman pregnant. In particular, many cases of childlessness are actually not a disease of the woman, but a problem of the man. In such a situation, what is the use of asking for help? "
Ji Ping'an's eyes flashed:
"You mean..."
Ye Hongling shook her head:
"Without evidence, I would not make any rash inferences. But I do not rule out 'man-made' influence.
Of course, if that's the case, it would not fall under the jurisdiction of my Demon Slayer Division. The really weird thing is that after those women became pregnant, they all had some abnormalities, and it was suspected that their souls had received certain trauma.
Although the symptoms are very mild, there are so many such cases that they can no longer be ignored. "
Soul... Ji Ping'an muttered:
"So, Chief Ye thinks that there are monks who are causing trouble? Then why not go directly to Yunlin Temple to investigate?"
Ye Hongling smiled bitterly and said:
"On the one hand, it is the territory of Buddhism after all. You are from the capital of the gods, so you may not know much about the situation here. Yunlin Chanyuan, as a 'Buddhist' force, is allowed to take root in Yuhang. To a certain extent, it is because of the relationship between Great Zhou and Nan An agreement between the Tang Dynasty and the Tang Dynasty, and on behalf of the imperial court, my hands will be tied when it comes to investigating."
Ji Ping'an was not surprised.
The situation of Yunlin Zen Monastery is somewhat similar to that of the "White Pagoda Temple" in the divine capital. According to his understanding, it has the nature of an "embassy".
The outside of the Zen Temple belongs to the territory of the Great Zhou Dynasty, and the Demon Slayer Division can investigate at will.
Even if it involves Sanqing Temple, you can also ask "Qingyun Palace" to issue a decree through the court's channels and cooperate with the investigation.
But Yunlin Zen Monastery is different.
The interior of the temple is the territory of Buddhism and Southern Tang Dynasty. Ye Hongling can only "ask" the other party for help. If the other party refuses to cooperate, there is nothing she can do.
You can't take action forcefully. It will inevitably trigger a conflict between the two countries and the two major forces of Buddhism and Taoism. This chain reaction is too big and no one can afford it.
According to the existing clues, the problem is likely to lie "within the Zen Yuan."
"The second aspect is that my Demon Slayer Division is all martial arts. They can fight and kill, but they are really not good at these areas involving magic."
Ye Hongling said frankly:
"So, I want to invite Si Chen to help with the investigation. Buddhism can refuse the Great Zhou court, but if Qin Tianjian is added, the weight will always be heavier, and the Xingguan's magic, especially astrology, is also very helpful in solving the case. Big help.”
Ji Pingan said:
"Then why don't you ask Daomen for help?"
Ye Hongling said:
"It would be better for Si Chen and the Saint to invite the two of you than to find the Master of Sanqing Temple. Besides, I think Si Chen should also be very interested in this matter."
Ji Ping'an heard this, looked at the female warrior for a long time, exhaled deeply, and said with a smile:
"You convinced me."
The two of them didn't need to say a lot of words to make it clear, everything was said without words.
Obviously, Ye Hongling had already guessed the existence of the "Reborn One".
And realized that the Qintian Prison represented by Ji Ping'an and the Taoist sect behind the saint were also looking for these people, and were far more professional than the Demon Slayer Division in handling similar matters.
From Ji Pingan's perspective, what really moved him was not Ye Hongling's words.
But a few days ago, Jian Zheng sat in the same position as Ye Hongling and placed a copper coin in the northeast direction of the tablecloth.
And if the tablecloth is replaced with a map, that is exactly where Yunlin Zen Monastery is located.
Therefore, when Jian Zheng came that day, it was a hint that he could go.
Ye Hongling exhaled silently and smiled:
"That's great. I wonder when Si Chen can set off?"
Yunlin Zen Monastery is not close to Yuhang, but it's not too far either. If you ride a horse at full speed, it's only half a day's journey.
Ji Ping'an thought for a while and said:
"If it's convenient, we'll leave immediately."
Ye Hongling didn't expect him to be so straightforward, so she nodded and said:
"Okay, you can ride my horse."
The two agreed, Ji Ping'an got up, walked back to the backyard, and knocked on the door of the saint's room.
Yu Yu opened the door angrily and stared at him:
"What are you doing!?"
Ji Ping'an said calmly:
"Put on your clothes and go out. The 'clue' you wanted is here."
…
…
Hang the "Closed" sign outside and tell Huang He and others to practice well.
Under the curious eyes of the neighbors, Ji Pingan and Yu Yu simply packed up and walked out of Laoliu Street with Ye Hongling.
Without any delay, the three of them took only a little food and water, then rode out of the north city gate and galloped northeast along the official road.
The "Yuhang City" on the Da Zhou territory actually did not completely overlap with the ancient "Qiantang", but was shifted to the southwest as a whole.
Tracing back to the reason, we must also mention the historical event of the war between humans and demons in the past, the demon clan’s surprise attack on the Central Plains, and the flooding of Qiantang.
At that time, the entire Qiantang was engulfed by floods, and then froze three feet. There were countless casualties, and the original city was also destroyed.
Later, it was rebuilt again. Considering that too many people died in the old Qiantang City, it was moved some distance away.
Yunlin Zen Temple is located in the "Old Town of Qiantang" at that time.
In early autumn, the sky is clear and the air is crisp.
I didn't feel the heat along the way, the trees along the road were still green, and the golden chrysanthemums were in full bloom.
The three of them hurried on at full speed. In the afternoon, they were not far from the Zen Temple. The number of pedestrians, cars and horses on the road began to increase, and the three of them also slowed down their horses in a tacit understanding.
"There are quite a lot of people on this road. Are they all going to offer incense?"
Yu Yu sat on the horse, holding her little reins with both hands, and asked excitedly.
Ye Hongling held the horse's belly between her legs, and was dressed in a military attache's outfit that was particularly conspicuous. After hearing this, she explained:
"Most of them are going to and from the old city and the new city. The mountain in front is the Zen Yuan. After bypassing the Zen Yuan, there is the old site of Qiantang City, which is now Qiantang County. However, there are indeed many people who go to the Zen Yuan to worship Buddha, and the incense is better than that of Sanqing. The view will be prosperous."
Yu Yu suddenly became unhappy and snorted:
"Why? Is it possible that there is a state religion nearby that you don't worship, so you have to travel so far to worship Buddha?"
Ye Hongling hurriedly explained:
"That's not the case. Although Lanzhou is adjacent to the Southern Tang Dynasty and Buddhist teachings were indeed passed over, on the whole, it was still suppressed. As for the people who went there, it was mainly because there was a 'Master Yihong' in Yunlin Zen Temple."
Hearing this name, Ji Pingan, who had been silent all the way, looked over and recalled the information in his mind about the major forces in Yuhang City and the people worthy of attention.
He asked back: "Are you talking about the white-clothed mage who came from the Buddhist 'Zhengdao Academy'?"
…
Correct typos first and then correct them
Thanks to book friends: Guoguo from overseas will be rewarded with 500 coins for his support!
(End of chapter)
